Anthony Pettis aiming for October return, open to potential 'TUF 16' coaching gig

LAS VEGAS – Former WEC champion Anthony Pettis (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is staying quiet for now, but expect something a little different later this year.

“Showtime” is currently on the mend after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year, and he believes there’s no reason to call out anybody until he’s ready to fight.

But make no mistake about it: Pettis is looking for a big fight, one that earns him a UFC title shot. And if that means a potential date with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and a coaching role on “The Ultimate Fighter,” then so be it.

“It’s been mentioned by my management,” Pettis today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) when asked about recent reports that he would coach the next season of “TUF.” “They said it’s not necessarily in the works but is more of a rumor. But for me, it’s a great opportunity.

“If it does happen, I’m definitely going to go for it.”

The rumored coaching gig could prove just what the doctor ordered for Pettis, who would receive time to heal his wounds while still remaining in the public eye. However, UFC officials have yet to reveal any definite plans. If offered the role opposite Cerrone, the two would likely clash in December following the airing of the series’ second run on FX.

However, if the company decides to go in a different direction, Pettis said he’d like to get back in the octagon a little sooner than that.

“I’m shooting for October or November,” Pettis said. “[My shoulder] is taking a little longer than expected. I want to make sure it’s 100 percent before I get back in there.”

Whenever he returns, Pettis wants to make sure it’s against a quality opponent. The 25-year-old twice has been pulled out of promised UFC title shots – once to allow for a rematch between then champ Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard and again this year to allow current titleholder Ben Henderson to face Edgar for a second time. When he steps back in the cage, he wants to make sure it’s against someone who can earn him another bid at the belt.

“For me, I want a title shot, so whatever is going to get me that next fight to the title shot, I’m all for it,” Pettis said.

Pettis, who earned a spot as the WEC’s final lightweight champion with a December 2010 win over Henderson, fought most recently in February, where he earned a spectacular 81-second knockout win over Joe Lauzon at UFC 144.

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